Marker



July, s '11124.l

1,501,001 E. LANE Filed Dec. 19. 1923 @100M/woz La@ me Patented July 8, 1924.

um"H212 nDWrN -oF Nnw Yonx, N. Y., Assienon To cnnonsm inenting, yor nenn',

Mnnknn d f appunti@ ned .December 1e, 1933. sena- 1 ng. cannes.

T .all whom my 00mm-"nf Be it known that l, EDWIN Lann, a vcitizen of the United -rStates.l 4residing athNevv York, in the county of Nev;T York and 4State 5 of New York, have invented new and useft'ul Improvements in Markers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to markers for identii-ying lindividual pieces `or articles and groups lof the llatter of the same ownership prior and .subsequent to lannder and dry cleaning operations.

The invention. particularly relates to a Adevelopment of an improvement of the `marker structure disclosed by my copending vapplication executed land filed of even date therewith. The pnimary robject oi' the presn ent improvement is toprovide a marker of the class speciedfhaving means for detachably engaging wa portion .of an article or piece .to 'be cleaned With positiveness and re- 7 v.liability and Without injnry to the said article or piece -dnring` launder or cleaning operations, and `rto utilize a separate device or implement which is easily` applicable t0 the thumb or linger of the `hand of the operative or assorter and adaptedv to be held in such position as vto render-it quickly eillective in opening the parts fof the marker to Vdisengage the .piece or article therefrom and Without in the least interfering With the :tree

` use of Athe .thumb 'or linger end to Iwhich said device or `implement may be applied. A further obiect Off the invention i's to construct a marker of the class speciiied in such manner that it will be convenient in use. readily a-ttachable to and detachable V.from a portion of an article Aor piece to identify thelatter, and to resist lall tendencyV 40 to accidental disengagement of the vmarker yfrom the article or piece during launder or cleaning operations,` and also to protect'the .portion of the article or piece engaged thereby `when opening the marker to release the article or piece. A still lfurther .object of the invention is to provide a marker of .the class specified embodying means for positively engaging a piece or article to be laundered or dry cleaned and releasable by means separate 0 from .the marker, but which may be held in operative `position in connection with .the hand of the operator or assorter vand thereby evoidithe delay incident to picking up a device that could not bepracticably held lintact vvvvith the hand, and also toavo'id less `o1' ment of ,such vopenifimplement fdr device: A

n With these andjher objects andhadvan.- vtages in View the invention .consists in the construction and varrangernent (if rthe parts which `Will be @more-hereinafter .described and claimed.

In thel drawings? f y Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a marker, embodying y,the kfeatures ,of the-presentin vention, shown attached to aM portion of an article, and ralso illustrating ian openir@ implement operativeposition and-"the manner of holding the same.

Fig. 2 is a central llongitudinal`vertical vj sectien of the marker vvitha the opening rimplement in y place therein. v n n Fig. '3 isa bottom plan view of* the marker .shown applied. f

Fig. 4 is a .detail perspective View Of the preferred .form ,of opening i-Iynplernent.` n y Fig.' -5 is ,a top plan view'of a marker Showing a modification in' the construction. f

The numeral 5 ydesignates.fa doubled strip ,d

of suitable non-corrosivenietal, such as brass or phosphorlbronze, bent in such manneras v'to provide .two jaws and 7 Whichhave an n overlapping normally `closed relation, a head y8 'being formed-in rear ,of the jaws and Wider .than the latter, the .one member of the head having an identifying number ,or character I-9. Thejawis shorter .thagn'the jaw 7 and both of these'jaivs' respectivelyliave opposed i'ndentations l0 ,andll -vvhich are alternately y arranged so thatA the inward maximum provjections thereof Will alternate, or the inaxr mum projections of 'thefindentations off -one jaw `will be opposed or betweeny the maximum projections of the remainingjaw. The maximum projections of the indentations 1() and yllare all directed ktowards the .head 8 @and provide aseries of ytransversely extend- Ying biting means orreliably holding a yp0rtionjofan varticle or `piece to lbe cleaned or laundered therebetween.` As shown-by Fig'.

f2," for -instance, the shorter .jaw .6 and the member of the :head 8 With which it continuous are inclinedinvvard'ly towardsthe `remaining jaw 7 andthe opposite ymemberof the head from vthe bend 12,in .the r`member .of the .headfrom which vthe shorter jaw .6 xextendsa -.s lot or Iopening l3 is formed. In advanceof this kslot or opening .the ^same head member `has an inwardly :weigering guard lip or iange 14, which is preferably cut therefrom ,and has its free end movably and normally in engagement with a slot 15 in the opposite head member. The head member from which the jaw 7 continues is formed with anY indentation 16 between the location of the slot 13 and the bend 12 for the purpose of maintaining the opposite members of the head in predetermined spaced relation and to prevent crushing of the same under 4pressure stress that may be imposed thereon. The longer aw 7 serves as a guide for convenience in applying the marker te a portion of an article or piece to be laundered or dry cleaned', and said longer jaw in advance of the free end of the shorter jaw 6 is formed with a slot 17 whereby it may be applied to a hook or hanger or other suspending device while the piece or article is attached thereto. l

Y lOne preferred form of device or implement for opening the normallyclosed jaws 6 and 7 is shown in the accompanying drawing, but it will be understood that anyV im'- plement that will operate to open the jaws `may be adopted. The device Vor implement as shown is formed with a thumb or finger loop or eye member 18 bent over a flatshank 19 which is straight for a greater portion of its length and in part provides a portion of the wall Vor defining means for the eye 18 and whereby the implement may be held `on the thumb or linger of the hand of the Voperator 0r assorter without liability of the same turning away from a position desired tobe maintained for ready application and practical operation in relation t0 the marlier. The free end of the fiat shank 19 is bent rearward as at 20 and then continued into a terminal angular foot 21, the free extremity Of this shank being decreased in width as at to adaptrthe same to be readily inserted in and removed from the slot 13 and also to give the implement freedom of. action in performing` the function for which it has been devised.

The' operation of the improved marker and the opening device or implement is very' simple. The implement is applied to the thumb of the hand of the operator or assorter in the position shown by dotted lines in'Fig. 1. with the angular foot 21 held free for insertion in the slot 13. To apply a marker to a portion of an article or piece to be laundered or dry cleaned, the foot 21 is inserted in the slot 13 and the implement pushed forward until it assumes the vposition shown by Fig. 2. or comes into engagement j with the guard lip or flange 14C when the operator presses inwardly on the implement "and the foot 21 acting in conjunction with the bendf234 provided in the formation of the foot and acting as a fulcrum.v forces the jaw 6 apart from the jaw 7 to separate the indentations 10 `and 1'1 to such an extent as to permit the ready insertion of a portion of a piece orarticle between the jaws or a quick withdrawal of the said portion from the jaws. By the use of the implement specified it will be understood that a number of the markers may be quickly applied to articles or pieces or detached from the latter. rllhe portion of the article or pie-ce engaged by the jaws is limited in its rearward movement or cannot pass rearwardly between the members of the head 8 in view of the obstruction provided by the guard lip or flange 111, and the latter also prevents the foot 21 from moving forwardly between the jaws, and engaging the porti-0n of the article 0r piece that be held between said jaws, and as a consequence. the article or piece so held is prevented from being injured or torn by the implement. The opposite members of the head 8 are in such spaced relation that when the reduced end 22 of the shank 19 of the implement is introducedy in the slot 13 the bend 23 will bear against the closed portion of the member of the head opposite that having the Vslot 13 therein, and a turning movement of the reduced end of the implement will be effected to turn the free lcnil of the foot2i1 against that part of the head 8, and also be withdrawn from the said 'the slot 17 provides for this operation, the

marker being overturned so that the piece or article attached thereto will fall over the member S of the head bearing the identifying` number or character 9 and when the operator or assorter subsequently uses the implement to open the j awsV and release the marker from the article or piece, the marker has to be turned in such position as to bring the identifying mark of character into view of the operator and in assorting articles or pieces of the same group or ownership, this necessary exposure of the identifyingc numbers cr characters, which will be similar on all the articles or pieces of the same lgroup or ownership, will enable' the operator to separate or set apart all the pieces or artic-les of the same group and a check will thus be provided against possible mistake by the operator in thel event that a marker havingA a different number or character and attached to a piece of another group becomes associated with the articles orl pieces bearing the unlike numbers or characters. Y

The improved marker as hereinbefore defined for the ypurpose of illustrating one practical form thereof maybe modified 1n proportions, dimensions and general details and as hereinbefo-re indicated, ythe operating device or implement may also be changed in form without departing rfrom the nature or spiritof the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

In the modified form of the marker as shown by Fig. 5 the metal strip used in forming the marker is primarily the same as in the preceding structure except that the jaw 7 is very much shorter and "is minus 8 being laterally extended, 'as atA 24, and formed with a slot forhanging or suspendingv the marker. This modified structurel of the 1marker materially reduces the length of the'same andis much lighter than the form Aof l`the marker first'descr'ibed; By havingA the slotI 17 shownin one instance in. the projecting entremity ofthe `jaw 7 and 1n .Figure 5 inthe lateral extension'of the head,

it' 'is intended'tof indicate that-the said slot maybe applied to any part'of the marker.

'By havingv the; extension of o-ne member of *the head kpro-vided with a slot, ras shown' by Figure 5, theoperative or assorter may handle the markers with rthe articles or'pieces attached thereto with greater rapidity' in view of the fact that it is unnecessaryto turn ,over the marker andv the articles or piece attached thereto and moreover it is possible `forthe operative to eipeditio-usly release the jaws and identify the article or piece with certa-intyas the'identifying 'char-t acter'will be faeingfthe operative at the time when the marker ,is suspended and also `when 'fit is removedifrom its suspending means;

' What is claimed as new 's':"-` l. A reusable marker `of the class specified having an intermediately bent'bodywith identifying means on .onev member thereof, the members ofthe body having 'a clear space between them, a pairof resilient normally closed flatjaws with inwardly projecting yopposing interacting indentations at a distance rearwardly fromthe front endsof the jaws and, also located y"inwardly from the side edges of the'jaws, and an implement insertable through fone body member into the ,clear spa-ee between both body members y'and in rear of the' indentations for opening the jaws.` l

2. A reusablemarker ofthe classjspeciiie'd bent to provide opposite body members with a clearf space between them, one member having identifying means thereon, apair of normally closed flat convergingl jaws, the jaws extending from and continuous with said members, the one member having ran opening therein, and an implement inserti 3.`A reusable marker of the classv speci-y fied consisting of a doubled 'fiat strip of spring sheet metal to provide a pair of fiat holding jaws extending from the connecting bend therefor, the aws being continuous with rear body members having a clear space between them, the aws also having inwardly projecting' opposed retentionmeans, and kmeans movably insertable through a'l portion of the body and operable betweenthe members of the body for opening the jaws. the slot 17, oneof the members of the head ,of normally closed flat aws continuing from able through the openingof one member and between both members and engageable with vthe opposite imperforate member in rear of the converging jaws for opening the latter.\

the body members, a clear space between the members and onev of the'members formed withfa lslot in rear of the jaws, the jaws having inwardly projecting Aopposed retention means in advance ofthe said slot and in reary ofthe free ends of theljaws, andan implement removably insertable through the said slot into the clear spaceV between the members of 4the body for opening the jaws.

pArmarkerfof the class specified vcomprising a doubled 'body with a clear space between the parts of the same, the body carlrying an identifying means yand also a slot through onepart thereof, the remaining part of the body opposite the said slot being imperforate, the body having'fiat jaws extend- Ying from the said parts and normally closed, and converging fromthe parts of the body, the rjaws in advance ofthe slot in the body being provided withreversely arranged inwardlyv projectingk opposed indentations, and an implement removablyfinsertable fin the said slot tov engage fthe parts of the body inv` rear of the' jaws and. Vinchantations for* opening the jaws.

6"A` marker of the' class Specified consistingof a single piece of doubled flat spring `metal and comprislng a head with opposing flat members, one of the members having 'identifying means and ya slot therethrough,

the opposite member ofthe "head being imn perforate, both members also formediwith normally closed rflat jaws extending thesefrom and provided with retention means, and an implement for opening the jaws reforspringing the aws'apart.

7. A reusable marker of the class specimovably insertable in the slot oi' one of the n Y l "members and' operablebetween the members formed of asinglepiece of flat Isprir'lgr metal fied consisting of a doubled strip of flat spring metal having a rear body with opposing fiat members with a clear space between them, one of the members having identifying means and one ofthe members having a slot therein and the opposite member imperforate, both members also having jaws continued therefrom and normally closed, the one jaw being longer than the other and both aws having inwardly extending opposing projections, and an implement insertable through the slot of one member and having a fulcrum bearingon the imperforate portion of the opposite member and operable to spring the jaws apart, the slot in the one member being in rear of the projections of the jaws.

8. A marker of the class specified comprising' an extremity having opposed membersV with normally closed jaws extending therefrom, one of the members having a slot therethrough and an inwardly projecting guard in advance of the slot, and a jaw opening implement removably insertable in the slot between portions of the jaws.

9. A marker of the class specified comprising a head composed of opposite spaced members with normally closed jaws extending from the latter and provided with 'retention means, the one member having a slot therein and an inwardly projecting guard in advance of the slot and between the latterand the retention means, and a jaw opening implement removably insertable in the` slot between the members.

10. A marker of the class specified comprising a bent strip having a head composed of opposite spaced members and normally closed jaws extending from the members, the jaws having retention means and one member of the head provided with a slot and an inwardly projecting guard in advance of the slot, and a jaw opening implement having an angular extremity with a terminal angular foot removably insertable in said slot between the members in rear of the guard.

11. A marker of the class specified cornprising a head composed of opposite members with a clear space between them and normally closed jaws extending from the members and having opposed retention means between the said member and the front terminals of the aws, and an implement arranged to be continually held on the handiof an operator and provided with an extremity removably insertable through one ingly continuing from the said members, the jaws being formed with interacting retention means wholly in advance of the said members and between the latter and the frontI terminals of the jaws, the members having a clear space formed between them and one member provided with an opening therethrough and the opposite member imperforate, and a jaw-opening implement having an end insertable through the opening of one member and into the clear space between both members for fulcruming engagement with the imperforate member to pry the jaws open.

13. A marker of the class specified comprising a pair of normally closed flat resilient jaws with similar interacting retention means, one of said jaws also having an identifying character, the one jaw being longer than the other to serve as a guide means and formed with a slot in advance of the remaining jaw to provide for hanging the marker and article held thereby, and means for opening the jaws.

14. A marker of the class specied comprising a head composed of opposite members with an intervening space and normally closed jaws extending from the head and provided with interacting retention means, the head having an identifying character and one member thereof provided with a slot and an inwardly projecting guard flange in advance of the slot, the free end of the guard flange beino movable in and relatively to a slot formell in the opposing' member, and an implement having a terminal insertable through the slot of one head member and between both members for bracing engagement against one of the memdentation projecting between the members to prevent the latter from being crushed, and animplement removably insertable in the slot of one member to engage the opposite member for opening the jaws.

16. A marker of the class specified comprising a bent strip of material formed with ahead carrying an identifying means and at pair of normally closed jaws with interacting retention means, the one jaw being longer than the other and formed with a slot, the portion of the head also having a slot therethrough and an inwardly projecting guard in advance ofthe slot and Ybetween the latter and the retention means.

the head also provided with an indentation to prevent crushing thereof, and an implement having an extremity for removable insertion through the slot of the head in rear of the guard for opening the jaws.

17. A removable marker of the class specied formed of a single piece of material doubled on itself and having body members with a clear space therebetween, jaws contnuing from the body members'and provided wth interacting impenetrating holding means, a guard means in rear of said holding means between the jaws and the body members, and releasing means for opening the aws, the releasing means being prevented by the guard means from moving into engagement with the said holding means.

18. A marker of the class specified having normally closed spring jaws provided with interacting impenetrating` opposed holding means ata distance rearwardly from the free ends ofthe jaws, a rigid part of the marker being formed with a slot therethrough for hanging the marker and the article or piece attached thereto, and releasing means insertable between the jaws for opening the jaws.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

EDWIN LANE. 

